SIMIC

Thus, container handling at Germany's Duisport grew five per cent last year to 4.2 million TEU, marking a new high.

The Q2 of 2020 saw 60 trains a week between Duisburg and various destinations in China, up from 35 to 40 during the previous year.

"These increases in the container business are not solely due to pandemic-related catch-up effects. Our strategy of expanding access to additional Chinese destinations as early as April (ie, during the first lock-down) already paid off particularly in the second half of the year," said Duisport CEO Erich Staake.

"In the meantime, all important logistics hubs in Europe and Asia have become an integral part of our network. We have systematically expanded our position as a preferred destination for eastern European and Asian freight transports into Europe," said Mr Staake.

astern Europe also had a positive impact. With a share of 55 per cent, the hub handled 59 million tonnes in 2020, representing a three per cent decline.

"Despite these positive developments, we have to maintain a sense of proportion and realism. Since the vaccination strategies in the EU are rolled out much more slowly than in the US or the UK, we will have to expect lower demand and further restrictions with lockdowns for our home market," said Mr Staake.

"Particularly the logistics sector, which is characterised by small and medium-sized companies, may be negatively affected due to continued uncertainty among consumers. In 2021, the second year of the pandemic, we are still vulnerable to significant uncertainties and certainly not out of the woods yet," said Mr Staake.